portable crib up in Jenna’s room, which she and Celeste were sharing for the weekend. Sabrina was spending the night with her friend Taylor, and Aunt Edie had gone to bed shortly after the last guests left.
“It is great.”
“That’s another reason I want to be down here. Where do you find this kind of community?”
“All over America, I’m sure.”
“Probably. But Moonlight Harbor is special.”
“Yes, it is. I can’t imagine living anywhere else,” Jenna said. “Thank God for Aunt Edie.”
Celeste’s smile shrank a little. “Is it my imagination or is she looking more frail these days?”
Jenna let her concern escape in a sigh. “She is getting up there.”
“Lots of people live to be ninety. I hope she turns out to be one of them. Maybe if we got her to slow down a little.”
“Don’t think I haven’t tried.”
“Let’s lock her in her room,” Celeste said with a grin.
“She’d probably pick the lock.”
The sisters were silent a moment. Then Celeste said, “I really want to be here with you. I could help if we were.”
“Hopefully, we’ll have Mom for that soon.”
“Another reason to be in Moonlight Harbor,” Celeste said sourly. “My whole family’s here.”
“At least you can come visit.”
“Or I can move down and Henry can come visit.”
“You know you wouldn’t really do that.”
“Maybe I would,” Celeste said, lifting her chin. “Darn it all. He needs to figure some things out.”
“It sounds like he’s trying,” Jenna said. “And you have time. Edie isn’t even crawling yet.”
“I don’t want to wait ’til the last minute. I don’t understand what he doesn’t get about that.”
“He probably gets more than you think. Knowing Henry he’ll come up with a plan.” Celeste said nothing, and Jenna continued. “Have a little faith in him. You’ve got a good man.”
“I know.” Celeste examined a perfectly manicured fingernail. “So, you think I’m being...”
“A brat?” Jenna supplied, and Celeste frowned at her. “It’s a strong possibility.”
“Maybe I should call him.”
“Maybe you should. I heard your phone ping several times when the women were here.” And saw her shut it off.
Celeste’s famous mischievous smile came back full force. “It’s good to make him sweat a little.”
Jenna shook her head. “I don’t know how he puts up with you. You’re so spoiled.”
“Baby of the family,” Celeste said with an unrepentant grin. She sobered. “I guess I can be patient a little longer. But I still want to look at houses, so call Brody.”
“Are you sure that’s a good idea? I mean, what are you going to do if you find one you like?”
“Convince Henry to come down and check it out.”
Back to square one, Jenna thought. Poor Henry. He was married to a steamroller.
Celeste went upstairs to have a conversation with her long-suffering husband, and Jenna put in a call to Brody.
“Hey there,” he said. “Is girl time over?”
“Yep. How would you like to have some girl time tomorrow?”
“With my favorite girl? Sure.”
“And her sister.”
“Celeste’s down?”
“She wants to look at houses.”
“So she talked Henry into taking the leap, huh?”
“Hardly. Right now she’s the only one leaping. She came down by herself.”
“Showing houses when only one half of the couple is on board doesn’t usually go real well,” Brody said.
“I know. I think she’s sure if she finds a bargain she can convince him to go along. You don’t mind, do you?”
“No, not at all.”
“Even though she’s just a lookie-loo.”
“Some of my best customers started out as lookie-loos,” he said. “That’s the nature of the business. People have to look around to get an idea of what they want.”
“She knows what she wants. Got to have three bedrooms so the baby can have a nursery and Henry can have an office.”
“On the beach?”
“Not necessarily, but near it. Kind of like what Courtney’s in.”
“I’ve got a couple. One needs some TLC, but it’s a bargain.”
“Henry would like that.”
“Another just came up a couple blocks away from Courtney’s. Three bedrooms and an easy walk to the beach. Motivated sellers.”
“Sounds great.”
“Okay. I’ll do some checking and see if I find anything else. I’ll pick you two up at ten thirty.”
Even if Celeste didn’t wind up buying a house, it would be fun to go looking. Fun to be with Brody.
When was it not fun to be with Brody? The man was good-humored and easygoing, a good listener and her number one fan. And he wanted to commit to her. Yep, he was the right choice.
Sabrina was summoned home the next morning to babysit and Brody picked the sisters up promptly at ten thirty. He’d even gotten